Hey folks!
Well tomorrow is our last day on the south island. It is absolutely beautiful. Sorry to have not updated my photos recently but the computers are so slow it would cost me a fortune in internet charges so you may have to wait a week or so until I hit a family base! Went whale watcjing today and saw 2 sperm whales, 100s of dusky dolphins and seals!!! we were in our element. Oooh and albatross - they are ENORMOUS!!!!
Off to a vineyard tomorrow for a tour by the owners (Its handy having contacts!!!) and a free lunch! Hee hee.
Hope everyone is well - will try and be better about keeping in touch!!
OOOh and we won the pub quiz yesterday in Kaikoura (guess who did most of the work - tee hee!)
Lots of love and huggles,
Dexie xxxxx

Seems as though NZ internet connections are rather crap so I've copied bits of my email from Alexis just so you know that all's well with the travellers.....
and I quote:
"So sorry to have been pants at emailing but usually when we do have internet connection its so slow that by the time you've read them all there's no time left to reply!!
Having a fantastic time. It really is spectacular on the south island. All mountainous and lakes and galciers - very beautiful. Currently on our way to Kaikoura to go whale watching - how exciting!!! Just in a natural hot springs resort at the moment - sulphourous pools at about 40'C that you just sit and relax in - divine. Ive even been driving the van which is exciting (cept when I tried to park it in the campsite and ripped the mesh sun screen - oopsy - but thats what insurance is for ;o) ).
Well - best go and check this website for whale watching quickly in 3 mins I have left!"
That's it folks, sure A&B will be in touch themselves soon(ish!)
Jenny x

Hello LD and Hello Ben - Do they really have cabbage trees in New Zealand? Chuffin ell, to coin a phrase, hee hee! Please can you knock a few cabbage patch dolls down with your tent pole/camper pole and send them? Hope you still enjoying and seeing lots of lovely places (and not too snowed-in?). UJ still in pot - proper ones now, plaster of Paris. Durr!! BC started his new job today, the plastics one. Stephanie home from Mauritius and glad to be back. That's about it. Talk to you soon, love and tuggles, me xxx

It's all gone quiet over there??!!! Am hoping that you're both okay and not moored in a cabbage tree somewhere. Twould be good to hear some travel news. All's well at home, weather probably not much better than yours just now but that's British summer time for you.
Oh well, I'll get on with some work & hope to hear from you soon.
Love & kisses ickl lamb & love to Ben. Take care n POST A MESSAGE!
xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Alexis! Good to hear you are enjoying your travels. Everything's fine in old Cambridge. Most people were complaining about the weather cos it was really hot for the last few week. I didn't mind until last week when I wasn't feeling too great myself. Now it's a bit cooler and possible to sleep at night again! We had our first scan on Thursday and everything looks fine. It was really exiting seeing the baby moving - it was so active!!! My tummy is also starting to grow. Not too long until I have to buy some new trousers I think!!! Have a great time and see you when you are back in October. Lots of love, Birgit xx

Hello LD it sounds wonderful, everybody says how beautiful New Zealand is. Shall look forward to seeing the photographs. Did you get to see Sally and Simon en route? Hope Ben is recovering from his flu? He should have taken his hats, scarves, mittens and all that stuff like you did then he'd be protected against all that cold weather, poor little mite. UJ has fallen and broken both his wrists. Now got both arms in pot. That's what you call going out and getting plastered, hee hee!! Stephanie is due home from Mauritius on Sunday, think her flight is due in lunchtime-ish to Manchester. Going to see Nannan shortly. She has taken to stripping off all the wallpaper she can reach from her armchair. Apparently she doesn't like it. She told the carers if she could walk she'd strip all the lot off!! You carry on enjoying and make sure you keep Ben well wrapped up. Liz and John are really looking forward to seeing you soon. Talk to you soon, lots of love and tuggles me xxx

Me again! Well NZ has far exceeded any expectations! It is absolutely stunning and beautiful and a million other similiar words! Weve done Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook (area at least - we didnt scale the mountain!!!), Arrowtown, Queenstown and now were in the very peaceful and quiet Te Anau. Our campervan s great and very homely - keeping the heating on at night though as it is very very chilly down here. In fact Bens even developed a touch of man flu to prove how cold it is but nothing a good nights sleep wont put right! Thanks for all my messages and emails - sorry dont have time for perosnal replies but theyre very much appreciated. Vicky - glad your home safe and well - thankyou for looking after me! Mark - hope the tooth is better :o( and Liz - Im back on 10th September - whens the party??!! Hope everyone is happy and well! Lots of love to everyone - off to gaze at the stuning scenery some more - it really is (a rather chilly!) heaven here! Love Dexie and Ben xxxx

Hello you, hope you touched down safe and sound in NZ - and aren't too chilly! It was awful leaving you at the airport, but luckily I crashed out on the plane before I could get too emotional. Hope you didn't have too boring and horrible a day at Narita. Anyway, while you enjoy the next part of Dexie's Exciting Adventure, just wanted to thank you sooo much for coming to see me in Tokyo. It meant the world to me having someone with which to enjoy my last 2 weeks there. Plus it was especially fun having someone to remind me of all the quirks I laughed at on my first time which otherwise I'd have grown far too used to. Absolute privilege and pleasure, with extra noodles. Love to Ben, and take care of you. I've some photos to pass on to you, but i'll save that for later.

Muchly love, bikster xxx

Hi Dexie,
Thanks for the card - it was really sweet, and very exciting to get post from the other side of the world.
Hope you are having fun on your travels. Will you be back in September for our party? xx

Hello LD these messages are getting a bit thin on the ground, what's happened to everyone? Hope you're enjoying New Zealand - people can say what they like but that heated loo seat would come in useful now!! Have you got used to the wintry weather yet? Liz and John are really looking forward to seeing you, it'll be brill. Watch out or they'll have you on the golf course!
Talk to you soon, love me xxx
ps Hope Sally and Simon don't mind the whole world having their email addresses, hee hee

Well. ECDLA done & dusted! Did my exam this evening, just have to wait for results now - eek! Hope you 2 happy campers are enjoying your first NZ days & the winter weather isn't too bad. Still v v hot here, twas lovely last week when we were in Cornwall but it's too flaming hot for being at work! Oh well, mustn't grumble. Take care, have fun! Love & kisses xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hello dexiest!
Sounds like you are having a wicked time, and I'm loving all the photos, it all looks so colourful :) Just spent 4 days at Larmer festival with raz and elaine, we had SUCH a good time boogying in the glorious sunshine and drinking cider- yum yum. One of the singers was from barnsley and sounded just like you! (she even said chuffing-wow). Anyways keep having fun sweetie and please give biki a hug from me too. Lots of love from me xx